Archive: 7 April 1999
52 articles found
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Violence clashes continue in Tual and Singkawang
Violence clashes continue in Tual and Singkawang JAKARTA (JP): More violence shook the Maluku town of Tual and the West Kalimantan town of Singkawang, claiming at least five lives on Tuesday. The latest fatalities bring the death toll in Maluku in the last few days to over 55. Warring groups in Tual, some 540 kilometers southeast of the Maluku capital of Ambon, continued their clashes despite the presence of the chief of the Trikora military command overseeing Irian Jaya and Maluku, Maj. Gen.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Hanoi bids to host 2003 SEA Games
Hanoi bids to host 2003 SEA Games HANOI (AP): Vietnam's most powerful political organ has officially endorsed the country's bid to host the Southeast Asian Games in 2003, the Communist Party newspaper Nhan Dan reported Tuesday. The green light came from the Standing Committee of the Communist Party's Politburo, which runs the day-to-day affairs of the country.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Conversion Rates
Conversion Rates Bank Bali's conversion rates on April 6, 1999: TT rates Bank notes rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
China postpones execution of Thai
China postpones execution of Thai BANGKOK (DPA): China has postponed the execution of a Thai national convicted of smuggling 1.5 tons of marijuana into the country, news reports in Bangkok said on Tuesday. The Supreme Court of Guangdong province in southern China decided on Monday to postpone the execution of Preecha Saengthong, 42, one of seven people found guilty of trying to smuggle marijuana into the country in 1994, said the Bangkok Post, quoting Thai officials.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Parties to encourage members to register for election soon
Parties to encourage members to register for election soon JAKARTA (JP): Executives of provincial chapters of several major political parties in the capital insisted on Tuesday that they would directly encourage their cadres here to voluntarily register for the upcoming June 7 general election as soon as possible.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia, Russia to expand ties
Malaysia, Russia to expand ties KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia and Russia agreed on Tuesday to strengthen their defense cooperation, including military training and the joint production of equipment. The defense ministry said senior officials from the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding reaffirming Malaysia's desire to develop friendly relations with Russia.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
KL maintains loose policy, clings to capital controls
KL maintains loose policy, clings to capital controls KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government said on Tuesday it will increase liquidity and lower interest rates but will cling tenaciously to its selective capital exchange control measures to spur economic growth. The policy was outlined in a White Paper presented in Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to explain the status of the Malaysian economy and its prospects following the mid-1997 Asian financial crisis.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Autonomy beyond control
Autonomy beyond control From Media Indonesia The plan to replace Law No. 5/1974 on regional administrations must be gladly responded to. One thing still causes concern, though. If we read carefully the bill now being deliberated upon and set for approval on April 9, 1999, we will come to the conclusion that this will no longer be a law on regional administration in a spirit of decentralization and wide-ranging autonomy, but autonomy beyond control and federalism.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Resolving bad loans
Resolving bad loans Its dual function as a bank support authority and debt- resolution agency has made the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) both the largest holding company in the country and the most powerful institution in the banking industry. As the state agency in charge of restructuring ailing banks, it now oversees and manages almost all of the largest banks.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Preelection apathy
Preelection apathy Posts were mostly inactive on the first of the 33 days reserved for the registration of voters for the June 7 general election. This phenomenon prevailed not only in many regions, but also in Jakarta, the capital. In Jakarta, many Indonesians appeared confused and did not know what to do or where to register. If mere confusion were to be the only cause of this apparent apathy, there is not much to worry about.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Draft bill to codify foreign affairs submitted
Draft bill to codify foreign affairs submitted JAKARTA (JP): A draft bill to codify Indonesia's foreign affairs was submitted here on Tuesday to the House of Representatives for deliberation. "With the law, it is hoped that our foreign affairs will be more efficient, directed and coordinated," Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told the House's plenary session presided over by Deputy House Speaker Hari Sabarno.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Cement exports may reach 11 million tons this year
Cement exports may reach 11 million tons this year JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia saw over a 450 percent increase in its cement exports in 1998 and this trend is likely to continue this year as most local cement producers have shifted their focus to overseas markets. According to data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, cement exports rose to 4.5 million tons in 1998 from 800,000 tons the previous year. This year, cement exports are projected to increase to some 11 million tons.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Four tourists die in Bali
Four tourists die in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: The bodies of four tourists, two of them foreigners, have been discovered in the past three days here, Antara reported. An Australian and a Swede, identified only as Snellgrove and Pirkko, were found dead in their hotel rooms on Monday and Saturday respectively. Antara quoted hospital sources as saying the two foreign tourists died of illnesses, but the news agency offered no further details.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Educational program for cart drivers
Educational program for cart drivers BANDUNG: Mitra Mandiri Foundation, an affiliate of the United States-based United Way International in Indonesia, is sponsoring an educational program for school-aged horse cart drivers in Majalaya, West Java, near here. Conducted by local non-governmental organization Institute of Community Development Information and Research (LEIMA), the project comprises 30 children who will undergo a one-year educational program.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Offended Bogor resident kills businessman, wife
Offended Bogor resident kills businessman, wife BOGOR (JP): In some cases, a few harsh words can lead to brutal murder. Pono, 36, said at the Bogor Police Headquarters on Monday that he was deeply offended after being called "a dog" by a local businessman. Pono and his friend, Nanang, then plotted the murder of the businessman. The two carried out their plan on March 25 to avenge Pono's "pain". The pair killed businessman Didi Sasmita, 59, and his wife Susanti, 51.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Obituary
Obituary JAKARTA (JP): The founder, general manager and chief editor of the Surabaya Post afternoon daily, Toety Azis, died at her Surabaya home on Tuesday morning. Managing editor Syahrul Bahtiar Hidayat told Antara news agency that Toety, 74, was not known to be suffering from any health problems. Toety and her husband Aziz, who died in 1984, founded the paper on April 1, 1953.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
People of Jambi complain of heat
People of Jambi complain of heat JAMBI, Jambi: The dry season is expected to arrive in May but people here already are complaining about extreme heat, which the local meteorology agency reported at 33 degrees Celsius, well above the normal maximum temperature of 32 degrees. The head of the agency, Aryana, told Antara on Monday that apart from people's complaints, the high temperatures would not adversely affect plants or water reserves for the time being.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
City owes PLN Rp 1.8b in bills
City owes PLN Rp 1.8b in bills JAKARTA (JP): The city administration owes state-owned electricity company PLN about Rp 1.85 billion in unpaid electricity bills up to February this year, a senior official of PLN's Gambir office said on Tuesday. The executive, who asked for anonymity, told reporters that Governor Sutiyoso's administration had to settle its account soon or PLN would take drastic measures.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
80 disabled workers sue arbitration board
80 disabled workers sue arbitration board JAKARTA (JP): At least 80 disabled workers are suing the Labor Dispute Arbitration Board at the Ministry of Manpower for approving their dismissal from a workshop for the handicapped, a lawyer said on Tuesday. Representing the workers, Lawyer Erna Ratnaningsih from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute said a lawsuit was filed against the board at the Jakarta Administrative High Court on Monday.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
New hope for RI's diplomacy
New hope for RI's diplomacy This is the first of two articles on the development of Indonesia's diplomacy prepared on a personal basis by Widjoseno Sastroamidjojo, a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's diplomacy on East Timor during the last 23 years of the New Order administration often collided with the continuing development of international values, particularly those in decolonization and human rights.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
SE Asian monies fall on weaker yen
SE Asian monies fall on weaker yen SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): The Philippine peso rose and the Thai baht fell in a day of otherwise quiet trading in Southeast Asian currency markets on Tuesday. Among other regional currencies the Singapore dollar, the Indonesian rupiah, the new Taiwan dollar and the South Korean won all ended the session slightly lower, shadowing a fall in the Japanese yen.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Voter registration still sluggish on second day
Voter registration still sluggish on second day JAKARTA (JP): While the second day of voter registration saw slow progress, chairman of the General Elections Commission Rudini expressed optimism that despite the slow process of voter registration which began Monday, within a week people would throng to nearby Subdistrict Polling Committees. "You have to understand that delays in several areas are due to inevitable technical difficulties," he said on Tuesday.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Women protest harassment in Purbalingga incident
Women protest harassment in Purbalingga incident JAKARTA (JP): About 20 women grouped in Solidaritas Wanita Indonesia protested the harassment of women at last week's Golkar function in Purbalingga, Central Java, at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Central Jakarta. Spokeswomen Rani Zaman said witnesses at the event reported that several women who were Golkar supporters were victims of harassment.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Army elite force members jailed for abductions
Army elite force members jailed for abductions JAKARTA (JP): A military court sentenced 11 Army's Special Force (Kopassus) soldiers on Tuesday between one year and 22 months in jail for abducting nine political activists in the last month of Soeharto's regime. The panel of judges, presided over by Col. Susanto, said that defendants were guilty of "collectively depriving freedom" of the activists.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Tribal communities cry out for justice
Tribal communities cry out for justice JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Agrarian Affairs Hasan Basri Durin was probably not ready to be a target of people's anger but he managed to stay calm during the first congress of Indigenous people held here recently. The minister, along with several government officials, was forced to listen to the demands of these oppressed people, victims of many government projects since the country's independence 54 years ago.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Central Java regencies prone to malaria
Central Java regencies prone to malaria SEMARANG: Central Java Governor Mardiyanto warned on Tuesday residents in nine of the 35 regencies in the province of possible malaria outbreaks. The malaria-prone regencies are Kebumen, Pekalongan, Banjarnegara, Pemalang, Cilacap, Jepara, Wonosobo, Magelang and Purworejo.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
JSX management to review composite index criteria
JSX management to review composite index criteria JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) management said on Tuesday it would review criteria for calculating the composite index after a huge rights issue by Bank Danamon virtually left the index at its mercy. Analysts hailed the move, saying it would prevent fund managers from abandoning the index on the pretext it no longer represented the entire market picture.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Unidentified men attack police officer
Unidentified men attack police officer JAKARTA (JP): A police sergeant from the On-Alert Unit at Jakarta Police Headquarters was beaten and stabbed in the neck by two unidentified men at a small park near his house in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, late Monday. The wounded officer, Second Sgt. Yudi Supriyanto, was on his way home from his office on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta when the incident took place, Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Tuesday.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPU hindered by absence of population data
KPU hindered by absence of population data JAKARTA (JP): Latest data on the country's population was still unavailable to the General Elections Commission (KPU) as of Tuesday, causing a further delay in the allotment of legislative seats. Commission members acknowledged they failed to file their request for the information with the Ministry of Home Affairs early enough to give the ministry time to gather the data. The ministry had promised to deliver the data on Tuesday.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Armed thieves rob 'omprengan' driver
Armed thieves rob 'omprengan' driver JAKARTA (JP): A gang of at least four armed thieves robbed a driver of an omprengan (unlicensed public transportation vehicle) late Monday, making away with the victim's Suzuki Carry minivan. The group abandoned the driver in a paddy field in Jati village in Buaran, Tangerang. According to city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis, the shocked driver, 45-year-old Patmi, was found by local residents a few hours later with his hands bound with shoe laces.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
First quarter plummet in foreign direct investment
First quarter plummet in foreign direct investment JAKARTA (JP): Foreign direct investment approved by the government in the first quarter of this year plunged almost 90 percent to US$560 million from $5.1 billion during the same period last year. Approved domestic investment in the same period more than tripled to Rp 53.7 trillion ($6.1 billion) from Rp 16.9 trillion, according to State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Angkot' driver shot in abortive robbery
'Angkot' driver shot in abortive robbery JAKARTA (JP): An angkot (public transportation minivan) driver was shot in the neck by two unidentified men during an attempted robbery early Monday on Jl. Ciledug Raya, South Jakarta. Sawaluddin, 19, said he was driving alone in the vehicle plying the Kebayoran Lama market-Ciledug market route at about 1:30 a.m. when two men on a motorcycle blocked his way on Jl. Kreo.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
MIGA, Japan sign deal to develop investment insurance
MIGA, Japan sign deal to develop investment insurance TOKYO (Dow Jones): The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Japan's national insurer -- the Export, Import and Investment Insurance Department of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, MIGA said Tuesday. The initiative will increase available political risk insurance to cover Japanese investments in developing countries and transition economies.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indigenous peoples tell of their misery
Indigenous peoples tell of their misery By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): L.B. Dinggit, chief of the Dayak Bentian tribe in East Kalimantan, was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in San Francisco in 1997. But no government recognition was forthcoming. Then East Kalimantan governor H.M. Ardans refused to acknowledge the international accolade for Dinggit's preservation of forested areas in his homeland.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Thailand assembles VW cars
Thailand assembles VW cars BANGKOK (DPA): Volkswagen is poised to sign a contract this month with Thailand's Yontrakit Group to locally assemble VW Passat and Audi A6 models in the kingdom, a news report said Tuesday. The contract with Yontrakit's YMC General Assembly Plant Company, which currently assembles BMW and Peugeot cars, is scheduled to be signed on April 17, said The Nation newspaper.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
SEAG training program in May
SEAG training program in May JAKARTA (JP): With only four months to go, the National Sports Council (KONI) will start its national training program for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in early May at the latest. KONI vice chairman, Arie Sudewo, said KONI was unable to stage the training earlier due to the change over from old officials to new ones. "I don't think it's too late. We only have three months to stage the training so we have to work harder.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Threat of Japanese encephalitis outbreak looms in Indonesia
Threat of Japanese encephalitis outbreak looms in Indonesia By Mangku Sitepoe JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia is in the midst of an epidemic of Japanese encephalitis that has already claimed 89 lives, mostly people living in the vicinity of pig farms. The disease is transmitted to humans from mosquitos, especially insects of the Culex type, which are themselves infected from animal sources (in contrast, dengue fever is spread by the Aedes mosquito).
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Landslide kills at least three
Landslide kills at least three DENPASAR, Bali: Three people were killed and another was missing on Sunday after a landslide destroyed their house in the village of Angansari in Bali, 75 kilometers northeast of here. Antara reported on Tuesday that the bodies of I Ketut Srinadi, 60, and two of his grandchildren, three-year-old I Gede Partha and eight-month-old Ni Made Ratmiati, were recovered from the destroyed house. As of Tuesday rescue workers were still searching for two-year-old Kadek Sarga.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 6, 1999: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 350 0 0 AHAP Insurance 400 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 75 0 0 Alter Abadi 200 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 500 125 2,562,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 125 25 122,500 Aneka Tambang (Persero) 1,400 0 428,000 Anwar Sierad 50 0 150,000 APAC Centertex Corp 225 0 0 Aqua Golden Mississippi 2,700 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industri...
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Legislators urge govt probe of bad debtors
Legislators urge govt probe of bad debtors JAKARTA (JP): Legislators of the ruling Golkar Party are urging the government to extend its inquiry into debtors responsible for Rp 100 trillion (about US$11.7 billion) in bad loans at the country's state banks. Thomas Suyatno said on Tuesday the government should investigate the causes of the bad loans and take legal action against those who committed crimes. "Writing off the bad loans is not enough.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
KPN to sue TV station over RI graft charges
KPN to sue TV station over RI graft charges AMSTERDAM (Dow Jones): Dutch telecommunications company Royal KPN NV (KPN) said Tuesday that it will take local television station KRO to court over a news report aired by the station that accused KPN of bribery in its business dealings in Indonesia. KPN said it sees the "suggestions" made by the news report as "untrue and very misleading," pointing out that its "reputation and integrity" have been tainted by the accusations.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
E. Timorese told to avoid violence
E. Timorese told to avoid violence JAKARTA (JP): The international community called on the East Timorese to avoid violence in settling their disputes, while jailed leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao called for the presence of a United Nations (UN) peace keeping force in the territory, following his earlier threat that his followers were ready for a war against pro-Indonesian groups.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
New Zealand helps BI check inflation
New Zealand helps BI check inflation JAKARTA (JP): Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) will advise Bank Indonesia on achieving a low-inflation economy under a memorandum of understanding signed here on Tuesday. Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin said New Zealand's central bank was noted for its success in devising and executing its own monetary policy to attain a low-inflation level, currently in a range of zero percent to 3 percent.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
No growth in LNG, coal exports to Taiwan
No growth in LNG, coal exports to Taiwan JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said on Tuesday Indonesia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal exports to Taiwan were expected to remain stagnant this year. "The export of both commodities to Taiwan is expected to remain the same as last year," Kuntoro said after attending an annual energy meeting with Taiwan's Minister of Economics Wang Chih-kang.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
State firms could be exempted from antimonopoly law
State firms could be exempted from antimonopoly law JAKARTA (JP): State-owned firms which control certain goods and services could be exempted from the newly approved antimonopoly law, a senior official at the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Tuesday. The ministry's secretary-general, Muchtar, said exemptions would, however, be given only on the condition that the goods or services provided by the state firms were vital to the public.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia ratifies antibias convention
Indonesia ratifies antibias convention JAKARTA (JP): After 34 years of negligence, Indonesia ratified on Tuesday the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In a plenary session here, the House of Representatives unanimously endorsed the bill on the ratification of the convention for President B.J. Habibie to sign into a new law.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Aceh-Penang ferry service
Aceh-Penang ferry service JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian ferry Langkawi II made its first trip on Monday from Langsa, eastern Aceh, to Penang, Malaysia, carrying 171 passengers. "The operation of the ferry is part of a series of economic cooperations in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle," Aceh Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud said at Kuala Langsa port during a ceremony marking the ferry's first trip.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
'Illegal miners will be tackled'
'Illegal miners will be tackled' JAKARTA (JP): The South Kalimantan provincial administration has promised to tackle escalating illegal mining activities in the mining resource-rich province to provide security to investors. Spokesman for the provincial administration Kamarul Hidayat said governor Gusti Hasan Aman ordered the province's environmental impact management agency to set up a task force on the problem.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Manado people greet both Ligina finalists
Manado people greet both Ligina finalists JAKARTA (JP): Manadonese provided an evenhanded welcome to PSIS Semarang and Persebaya Surabaya players in the North Sulawesi capital on Tuesday, placing banners for both teams along the route from the airport to their hotel. The 110-strong contingent of officials and players, to compete in the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) final at Klabat stadium, arrived at Sam Ratulangi Airport in the afternoon.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
PSIS fan dies from injuries
PSIS fan dies from injuries JAKARTA (JP): One of five injured soccer fans of PSIS Semarang soccer team died on Sunday after four days of intensive care at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. Jimmy Riyanto Wibowo's death brought to 11 the toll of PSIS fans who died from being crushed by trains or from electrocution. He was first treated at Pasar Rebo Hospital in East Jakarta after being hit by a speeding Jakarta-Bogor train at the Lenteng Agung railway track in South Jakarta on Thursday morning.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Govt to pull forestry funds from embattled state banks
Govt to pull forestry funds from embattled state banks JAKARTA (JP): Forestry funds amounting to Rp 2.6 trillion (US$305.8 million) currently deposited at state banks will be withdrawn, a minister said on Tuesday. Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said the funds would be shifted to Bank Bukopin and Bank Muamalat Indonesia.
Wed, 07 Apr 1999, 00:00 WIB
Pelti plans coaching team to groom juniors
Pelti plans coaching team to groom juniors JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) will set up a coaching team next month to help national coach Deddy Prasetyo groom juniors for the country's tennis development. Deddy said on Tuesday that he would hire four assisting coaches and would concentrate only on coaching national team members. Deddy is being observed by American consultant Bill Tym, a former tennis program director at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee.